Majority cut but Heyes votes stack up

ELECTION 2010

LABOUR’S David Heyes made it three in a row as he swept to victory in Ashton-under-Lyne.

But he saw his 13,952 majority over the Conservatives cut by 4,858 to four figures when the result was declared at 6.14am. All his opponents increased their poll.

Former Oldham councillor Mr Heyes secured his third parliamentary term in the constituency, with includes Failsworth East and West, with 18,604 votes.

This was down 2,607 on his 2005 figure but Mr Heyes, who lives in Failsworth said: “The constituency is smaller because Hollinwood has been taken out of Ashton-under-Lyne and put back into Oldham West.

“We expected the majority to be down. It’s still a sizeable majority, just over 9,000 — a good mandate. I am just pleased to have been re-elected to serve the area where I have lived for over 40 years.

“Obviously we have got a hung parliament and it’s still not clear at this stage which party might be able to form a government, if any party. That’s unfortunate given the economic difficulties we face.

“A clear result would have been better and a clear Labour majority would have been the best outcome. I am a bit disappointed we haven’t got the decision we hoped to get out of this election.”

He said there has been a mixed response to Gordon Brown while canvassing and added: “A few people have been very critical of Gordon, particularly in relation to his gaffe, but just as many have said ‘anyone can make a mistake in this pressure he is under’.

“For me the three live TV debates — I am a political junkie — were sterile. None of the leaders really stood out and shone. There was that early sense that Nick Clegg had done a good job, but I think that was because he had never had the publicity before.

“The speeches I have heard Gordon make in the last three weeks outside the set pieces of those debates have been inspirational. We had him in Oldham twice and he did a big set piece in Manchester.

“The people who have been at those events, ordinary members of the public, have been inspired by what he said.”

Tory Seema Kennedy built on the party’s 2005 total to poll 9,510, an increase of 2,251. She welcomed the 7 per cent swing and said: “We are very pleased. It’s just a result of all the hard work and also the fact that Labour hasn’t been listening to people.

“Results all over the country are showing that the Labour government has lost its mandate to rule. I hope that later today David Cameron will be able to form the government and bring much-needed change to this country.”

Paul Larkin increased the Lib-Dem vote by 595 to 5,703 to secure third place. He was not at the count because he is an election agent in Sefton, but his brother, Chris, said: “This was always going to be a difficult seat for us. I am very pleased we have improved out vote.

“I certainly think Nick Clegg has helped the Liberal Democrats here and throughout the country.”

The BNP and UKIP chalked up increases of 595 and 918 respectively.

:: For Oldham Council results, click here